English and Second Foreign Language Courses-related Affairs
Language Course Regulations Q&A
Last Updated: 2025/09/04
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Part 1: WAIVER for English credits
(For Freshmen Admitted in the 114th Academic Year (2025) and Onward)
Key Concept: "Waiver" means you are excused from taking the required English courses, but you must take other general education courses to make up the credits. Your total graduation credit requirement does not change.
Q: Can I apply for credit exemption?
A: No. Students admitted from the 114th academic year onward can only apply for a credit waiver.
Q: If I waive 2 or 4 English credits, can I graduate with fewer total credits?
A: No. You are excused from the English course, but you must take other general education courses to make up for the waived credits. Your total graduation credits remain the same.
Q: Is there an expiration date for my English proficiency test scores?
A: No, as long as you provide an official score report. For the on-campus OOPT, use the official email or a printout from the testing system.
Q: Can I use a test score that isn't on the university's approved list?
A: No. Only test types specified in the regulations are accepted.
Q: What proof is needed for native English-speaking international students?
A: A valid passport. However, if your country has more than one official language, you must apply using either your educational background (high school in English) or a proficiency test score.
Q: What proof is needed if I was educated in English?
A: A transcript or official document showing two things:
- A list of subjects taught in English (must be over 50% of all courses).
- The start and end dates of your study period.
Q: Can I apply to waive just 2 credits if I'm eligible for 4?
A: Yes, this is an option for students who still wish to take some English courses. Otherwise, you should apply for the full 4 credits you are eligible for.
Q: How many times can I apply for a waiver?
A: You can apply for a 2-credit waiver and a 4-credit waiver a maximum of one time each. You can waive 2 credits first and then apply again for the remaining credits later if you achieve a higher test score.
Q: What if I miss the application deadline?
A: Late applications are not accepted. You must apply during the designated period each semester (from the start of the semester until the end of the third stage of course selection).
Q: Is the waiver application only open to freshmen?
A: No. You can apply during any semester before you graduate.
Q: Does placement into Module 2 or 3 automatically waive my English credits?
A: This is false. You must still go through the formal application process to have your credits waived, even if your placement test scores are high.
Q: Can I use scores from an OOPT (Oxford Online Placement Test) that I took externally?
A: No. To ensure fairness, only scores from the OOPT administered by NCKU are accepted.
Q: For TOEIC, do I need scores for all four skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing)?
A: No. You can apply with either:
- Your TOEIC Listening & Reading score, OR
- Your TOEIC Speaking & Writing scores (you must have scores for both speaking and writing).
Part 2: EXEMPTION for English credits
(For Students Admitted in or Before the 113th Academic Year (2024))
Key Concept: "Exemption" means you are excused from taking the required English courses, and these credits are deducted from your total graduation requirements. Your total number of credits for graduation is reduced.
Q: If I exempt 2 or 4 English credits, can I graduate with fewer total credits?
A: Yes. Exempted credits are subtracted from your graduation total. For example, if you need 128 credits to graduate and you exempt 4, you will only need to complete 124 credits.
Q: Is there an expiration date for my English proficiency test scores?
A: No, as long as you provide an official score report.
Q: Can I use a test score that isn't on the university's approved list?
A: No. Only test types specified in the regulations are accepted.
Q: What proof is needed for native English-speaking international students?
A: A valid passport. As with the waiver, if your country has more than one official language, you must use a different application basis.
Q: Can I apply to exempt just 2 credits if I'm eligible for 4?
A: Yes, this is an option for students who still wish to take some English courses.
Q: How many times can I apply for an exemption?
A: You can apply for a 2-credit exemption and a 4-credit exemption a maximum of one time each.
Q: What if I miss the application deadline?
A: Late applications are not accepted. You must apply during the designated period each semester.
Q: Is the exemption application only open to freshmen?
A: No. You can apply during any semester before you graduate.
Q: Does placement into Module 2 or 3 automatically exempt my English credits?
A: This is false. You must still go through the formal application process to have your credits exempted.
Part 3: Old System Exemption FAQ
(For Students Admitted Before the 103rd Academic Year (2014))
Q: Can I still use the old exemption requirements?
A: No. As of the 104th academic year, all students must follow the new system's requirements.
Q: Are my previously approved "Freshman English" or "Sophomore English" exemptions still valid?
A: Yes. Any exemptions granted under the old system are still recognized.
Q: If I was already granted a full 4-credit exemption under the old system, do I need to re-apply?
A: No. Your status is secure.
Q: If I only exempted 2 credits under the old system, can I apply for more under the new system?
A: Yes. You can apply for a 2-credit or 4-credit exemption based on the new criteria.
Part 4: General English Course Regulations (Course Selection and Credits)
Q: Do I have to complete all 4 required English credits in my freshman year?
A: No. You simply need to complete all 4 credits before you graduate.
Q: Is it mandatory to register for an English "Module"? How do I choose courses?
A: Yes, module registration is required before you can select courses. Once registered, you must complete two different courses from that module to earn your 4 credits. Undergraduates (Years 1-3) and Master's students may only take one English course per semester.
Q: Why does the course selection system say, "No English Level, Cannot Register for English Courses"?
A: This means you are not yet registered in a module. Please complete the online registration within the announced period each semester to be eligible for course selection in the following semester.
Q: Can I change my English module?
A: Yes, but you can only move to a higher module. You must provide a new, qualifying test score. You are not permitted to move to a lower module. This can be done on the FLC website during the announced period in the semester.
Q: What should I do if I select a course with the same name as one I've already taken?
A: You must drop the course yourself. Credits will not be awarded twice for courses with the same name (unless you are officially retaking a failed course).
Q: After finishing my 4 required credits, can I take more English courses?
A: Yes, but you are limited to one extra course per semester. Be aware that these additional credits will not count toward your total graduation credits, but the grade will be included in your semester GPA.
Q: Can extra English credits be converted into General Education credits?
A: Courses from the A1 Module cannot be converted. For all other inquiries, please contact the General Education Center.
Q: Can I get a course add request for a full English class?
A: No. Course add requests are not issued for classes that have already reached their capacity.
Q: I'm a senior who hasn't completed the 4 required credits. Can I take two courses (4 credits) in one semester?
A: Only if you are in your final semester (Spring semester of your senior year). Otherwise, you must take one course in the Fall and the second in the Spring.
Q: As a senior, can I take a required English course and an "Online Remedial English" course at the same time?
A: No. You must first complete the 4 required English credits before you are eligible to take the Remedial English course.
Q: I'm in my final semester and worried about passing the graduation proficiency requirement. What are my options?
A: You must first complete your remaining required English credits. If you still cannot pass a proficiency test, you may then take the "Online Remedial English" course during the summer session.
Part 5: Second Foreign Language Regulations
Q: Can I take a second foreign language instead of the required English courses?
A: No. English is mandatory.
Q: Can freshmen take second foreign language courses?
A: Yes. If a class is full, you may ask the instructor for an authorization code during the add/drop period. Each class has approximately a limit of 5 such codes.
Q: Can second foreign language credits be used as other elective credits?
A: To count them as a departmental elective, please ask your department office. To count them as a humanities cross-disciplinary general education credit, please ask the General Education Center.
Q: How many second foreign language courses can I take per semester?
A: A maximum of two. The online system will only allow you to register for one. To take a second, you must get an authorization code directly from the instructor of the second course.
Q: Can I take an advanced course (e.g., Japanese V) before a lower-level one (e.g., Japanese III)?
A: While the system doesn't prevent this, we strongly encourage students to learn progressively, level by level.
Q: Can I take two different levels of the same language in the same semester (e.g., Japanese III and Japanese V)?
A: No. You are limited to one level per language each semester.
Q: Can I retake a second foreign language course that I have already passed?
A: Yes, but you must sign a waiver form at the Foreign Language Center. This form states you understand the credits for the repeated course will not count toward graduation.
Part 6: Oxford Online Placement Test (Module Assignment)
Q: What is the purpose of the Oxford Online Placement Test?
A: The test is used to assign you to a "module" (course level) appropriate for your skill. You must have a module assignment before you can select an English course.
Q: Who does not need to take the placement test?
A:
- Students from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature.
- Returning, exchange, or transfer students.
- Students who already possess an official English test certificate with a CEFR level (e.g., TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS).
Q: I missed the placement test as a freshman. Can I take it later?
A: No. The placement test is a one-time opportunity offered only to freshmen before their first semester.
Q: What should I do if I missed the placement test and have no other English test certificate?
A: You must take an external English proficiency test on your own. Once you receive your score, bring the official certificate to register for a module. You will then be able to select English courses for the following semester.
Q: I uploaded my English test certificate but wasn't assigned to a module. Why?
A: You likely uploaded it to the wrong system.
- "English Proficiency Placement System" is for module assignment.
- "English Course Exemption/Waiver and Confirmation of Foreign Language Competence System" is for waivers/exemptions.
These two systems are separate and their data is not shared. If you made this mistake, you must wait for the module registration period to become eligible for the next semester.
Q: I heard that Module 1 courses are the easiest. Is this true?
A: This is false. While designed for a foundational level, Module 1 courses are intensive and require no less time or effort than courses in Modules 2 or 3.
Q: I can't find or have lost the email with my placement test score. How can I retrieve it?
A: Email the Foreign Language Center at nckueagle@gmail.com. Use the subject "OOPT Score Inquiry" and include your full name, department, year of admission, and student ID number.
Q: Can a student admitted in one year use the module placement standards from another year?
A: No. The module placement standards are specific to your academic year of admission.
Part 7: Graduation Proficiency Requirement
Q: How do I find out the specific tests and scores required for graduation?
A: These requirements vary by department. Please inquire directly with your department's office.
Q: How do I get my proficiency requirement certified after passing a test?
A: The process is entirely online:
- Upload the electronic file of your score report to the "Foreign Language Proficiency and Achievement Verification System".
- After you submit, your department (not the Foreign Language Center) will review the application.
- Once approved, you have met the requirement.
Q: Is there a deadline to apply for certification?
A: No, you can apply any time before you graduate.
Q: I have passed the online "Remedial English" course. Do I still need to apply for certification?
A: No. Successfully completing this course automatically fulfills the requirement.
Q: Does the Foreign Language Center (FLC) need to review my graduation requirement test score?
A: No. After uploading your score to the system, please notify your department office to conduct the review, not the FLC.